TOPIC:

Being auctioned this week - great sequence of Southern African medals ... but all(?) renamed. To O'Dell - Cape Mounted Rifles.

A Military cross group of thirteen medals, re-named but with research, all mounted to bar:
1) Military cross (George V) to Maj. E .S.T. J O'Dell S.A.F.A R.F.A
2) British South Africa Company's medal 1890-97, one clasp Rhodesia 1896 (Matabeleland 1893 Rev) TPR D O'Dell B.B.P. CMR, (enlisted under false name David- his older brother)
3) Cape of Good Hope General Service medal 1880-1897, one clasp 'Bechuanaland' TPR E. ST. J. O'Dell- CMR'
4) Queen's South Africa medal 1899-1902, five clasps; Cape Colony, NATAL ,Orange Free State Wepener, Cape Colony- SGT. E. ST. J. O'Dell CMR- P.M.P
5) King's South Afirca Medal, two clasps; South Africa 1901. South Africa 1902- LIEUT E. ST. J. O'Dell, 16th CMR
6) Natal Rebellion Medal 1906, one clasp; 1906- SGT. E. J. ST. O'Dell CMR
7) WWI 1914-15 Star- SGT. E. ST. J. O'Dell S.A.I.-S.A.F.A.
8) WW1 British War Medal 1914-20- CAPT E. ST. J O'Dell S.A.F.A.-R.F.A.
9) WWI Victory Medal 1914-1919, with oak leaf, M.I.D. MAJ E. ST. J. O'Dell S.A.F.A.-R.F.A.
10) WWII Defence Medal 1939-45- Lieut E. ST. J O'Dell A.R.P.- R.W.F. (gave false date of birth as 1890)
11) WWII War Medal 1939-45- Lieut E. ST. J O'Dell R.W.F.
12) Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Bronze Medal 1887- TPTR CPL. E. ST. J O'Dell C.M.R.
13) George V Colonial Long Service and Good Conduct MEdal Cape of Good Hope- SGT E. ST. J O'Dell C.M.R.
With several photographs and ephemera
£1000-1500

Thanks Jon. What a wonderful group that would have been

From: hallsgb.com/fine-art-news/military-cross...-sold-halls-auction/

A medal group belonging to a distinguished South African born soldier is expected to fetch up to £3,000 when it goes up for auction in the new year.

Major Edward St John O’Dell, who was born in Grahamstown, South Africa in 1877, received the Military Cross in the First World War and gave false dates of birth to be allowed to serve in both the Boer War and Second World War.

His impressive group of 11 medals, together with a collection of related documents and photographs, have been consigned to our militaria and toys auction on February 17.

Major O’Dell, the youngest of five children of Colonel George Frederick O’Dell, was educated at St Andrew’s College, Grahamstown, and Bedford Grammar School in England.

In 1893, at the age of 16, he joined the Bechuanaland Border Police after using his brother David’s name and date of birth. He then served in various forces including the Cape Mounted Rifles, Orange River Colony Police, 4th Regiment South African Infantry and South African Field Artillery.

During the First World War he was promoted consecutively to Major and awarded the Military Cross. From 1920-’24, he farmed in Rhodesia and was involved in big game hunting before settling in England in 1925 where he married and had two sons, Derek St John and Bryan Edward, who joined the Household Cavalry (the Blues).

In the Second World War he again gave a false date and place of birth so that he could take a commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

In addition to the Military Cross, the medal group comprises the Military South Africa Company’s Medal (one clasp, Rhodesia), Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal (one clasp, Bechuanaland), Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902 ( five clasps), King’s South Africa Medal (two clasps), Natal Rebellion Medal 1906 (one clasp), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-1919 with Mentioned in Despatches emblem, Defence Medal 1939-45, War Medal 1939-45, Jubilee Medal 1897 and Colonial Forces Long Service and Good Conduct Medal George V.

“This is a superb medal group, which we are sure will attract international interest from collectors,” said Caroline Dennard, our militaria specialist. “From his military record, Major O’Dell was obviously a very courageous soldier who was determined to not let age stand in the way of war service.”

Hi Jon

What an amazing group, pity its not real.

No MC awarded to an O'Dell in the SA Forces
No CMR in the Rhodesia 1896 campaign
Yes a CGHGS was awarded to Private O'Dell of the Cape Police District 2, not CMR
QSA I have not checked thoroughly, but no Wepener clasp to O'Dell if in CMR then
KSA. Ditto
Natal Rebellion 1906 No O'Dell in CMR part of roll
WW1 Medals Naming weird
WW2 Yes he served as a Lieut with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers according to LG in 1941
CGHLSGC Not awarded to O'Dell

He was really born around 1877, died 1953

So was about 3-5 years old at the time of the earliest campaigns, 23 around Boer War, 68 years old at end of WW2 ( I believe his only real entitlement)
But he really had a good imagination, and was probably quite a character.

Regards

Adrian

I have checked my Wepener roll and there is no O'Dell listed.

O'Dell collection of medals of being sold by the auctioneers Halls, located in the West Midlands.

Toys & Militaria Auction 2.30pm
Darwin Saleroom
17 February 2016

hallsgb.com/auction/category/fine-art-auctions/militaria/

Very clearly another provincial saleroom to avoid.

djb wrote: O'Dell collection of medals of being sold by the auctioneers Halls, located in the West Midlands.

Toys & Militaria Auction 2.30pm
Darwin Saleroom
17 February 2016

hallsgb.com/auction/category/fine-art-auctions/militaria/